Geographically constrained network services

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for determining the geographic location of a user communicating on a communications network such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a provider of a product or service: (a) receives the user's phone number (or other identification for contacting the user's station), and (b) supplies the user's station with a distinctive identifier. The provider then supplies a location determining service with the user's phone number (or other identification). A phone call is made to the phone number by the location determining service for retrieving the distinctive identifier from the network station having the phone number. If the distinctive identifier is retrieved, and the location determining service determines that the user's station is within an appropriate geographical area (or not within an inappropriate area), then the provider can provide the requested product or service to the user.

1 . A method for determining the location of a user requesting services from a network site of a communications network, comprising:
 receiving, at the network site, user information for identifying the user, and a first approximate location of the user;   determining, using the first approximate location of the user, a location service provider providing coverage for the first approximate user location;   causing the user's network station to call a predetermined telephone number for identifying the user;   receiving the user's call at the predetermined telephone number, and: (a) capturing the user's telephone number, and (b) obtaining identification information for identifying the user;   transmitting the user's telephone number to one of the telephony location service providers selected for determining a location of the user;   receiving from the selected telephony location service provider, a more precise location of the user; and   determining services to be provided to the user on the communications network according to the more precise location.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the services for providing to the user includes one or more of: gambling services, taxation services, services for the distribution of software, advertising presentations, and information related to locations within the user's local that the user is expected to find of interest.